Luggage with foldable legs

ABSTRACT

A suitcase has retractable telescoping legs that are stored on the edges of the suitcase and are deployed into a position with respect to the suitcase that resembles a hospital gurney. The suitcase is then oriented horizontally but in a location that is elevated to be convenient for packing or unpacking. The legs have casters on them and are telescoped and folded adjacent to edges of the suitcase during storage so the legs are out of the way, but with the casters located adjacent to one edge of the suitcase in the manner of wheeled suitcases.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to automatically extendable andretractable wheel assemblies, and in particular to luggage having wheelassemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As early as the late nineteenth century, patent literature showed largewooden trunks with small metal wheels built into wood strips or skids.Conventional suitcases having either two or four wheels have beenstandard in the industry for years. Wheels are popular on horizontalcases, known as “pullman” cases, and upon “vertical” cases adapted to berolled across a supporting surface with the major dimension of the casedisposed at an angle to the supporting surface.

A pullman case has wheels attached to the bottom wall of the case, andthe case is towed on these wheels by a strap or handle attached on anend wall near an upper corner of the case. A conventional wheeledpullman has two fixed-axis wheels spaced from one another along therelatively narrow width dimension of the case to support the back end ofthe case. A pair of caster type wheels support the front end of thecase. The user pulls the case around on these four wheels as if it werea rather narrow, tall wagon.

Recently, pullman cases have declined dramatically in popularity withluggage users. One of the reasons for the declining popularity ofwheeled pullman cases is their relative instability while being wheeled.Pullman cases manifest a tendency to fishtail or tip while being towed,and are perceived generally to be difficult to steer.

Another style of wheeled case is the immensely popular vertical, or“upright,” luggage case. A typical upright case has a pair of fixed axiswheels spaced along a long edge defined by the intersection of the backand the bottom of the case. These wheels are oriented so that the caseis rolled broadside. The upper face of the case has a handle with whichthe user balances the case on these two wheels.

Known upright wheeled luggage cases often manifest either one, or both,of two problems: user discomfort and instability. Most commonlyencountered wheeled uprights must be tipped from a vertical position andtowed on two wheels—requiring constant support from the user in order toremain upright—posing the problem of strain and discomfort in the user'sarm. A conventional upright luggage has a pull handle which typically isretractable/extendable and configured to be gripped in one hand and usedto tow the luggage. The two wheels normally are mounted on an edge ofthe bottom of the case, and the case is tipped toward the user to bepositioned for towing. Furthermore, this kind of luggage has thedisadvantage of having to be held all the time to prevent it fromsliding away when a car or train travels at a high speed or stopssuddenly. If a car or train is crowded, then it is easy to damage thewheel assembly of this type of luggage when getting into or out of a caror train. The luggage has to be placed in a flat position in order toprevent it from sliding about on its wheels, and as a result, requiresmore space for storage, which is a disadvantage when the car or train iscrowded.

The user must then constantly support and steady the case in the tiltedwheeling position, with a significant portion of the weight of the caseborne by the user's rearwardly outstretched arm. A possible solution touser discomfort is the provision of additional wheels upon the bottom ofthe upright case, whereby the case may stand in a balanced uprightposition upon three or more wheels with no weight borne by the user'sarm. However, for such a case to be satisfactorily stable when pushed orpulled, it must satisfy minimum requirements for wheel base length, thatis, the distance between the front wheels and the back wheels, measuredbetween respective axles and generally parallel to the direction oftravel.

Luggage users for a variety of reasons increasingly demand “carry on”luggage, i.e., luggage sized to be carried into the passenger sectionsof aircraft, buses, and other common carriers. Carry on luggage must beeasily carried, but also must satisfy certain restrictive exteriordimensional criteria imposed by airlines so to be small enough to fit inoverhead or under-seat storage compartments.

Many people lift their suitcases to a higher surface to facilitatepacking or unpacking. This can be difficult under any circumstances, butmay be especially onerous if the person is disabled or infirm.Therefore, there is a need for a luggage device that can combine theadvantages associated with pullman cases with the advantages associatedwith upright cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by asuitcase having retractable telescoping legs that are stored on theedges of the suitcase and are deployed into a position with respect tothe suitcase that resembles a hospital gurney. The suitcase is thenoriented horizontally but in a location that is elevated to beconvenient for packing or unpacking. The legs have casters on them andare telescoped and folded adjacent to edges of the suitcase duringstorage so the legs are out of the way, but with the casters locatedadjacent to one edge of the suitcase in the manner of wheeled suitcasesso the suitcase embodying the present invention has the desirablecharacteristics of a pullman suitcase and a vertical wheeled suitcase,without the disadvantages of either.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention willbe, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, likereferenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suitcase embodying the presentinvention with the legs in a deployed condition.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the suitcase embodying the presentinvention with the legs in a stored condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the presentinvention is embodied in a suitcase 10 that can be used in the manner ofboth a pullman type case and an upright wheeled case. Suitcase 10comprises a case unit 12 which includes a first end wall 14 which is abottom end wall when the case unit is in an upright orientation. Firstend wall 14 has a first side edge 16 which is a top side edge when thecase unit is in a horizontal orientation, a second side edge 18 which isa bottom side edge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation, afirst end edge 20 which connects the first side edge of the first endwall to the second side edge of the first end wall, and a second endedge 22 which connects the first side edge of the first end wall to thesecond side edge of the first end wall.

Case unit 12 further includes a second end wall 30 which is a top endwall when the case is in the upright orientation. Second end wall 30 hasa first side edge 32 which is a top side edge when the case unit is in ahorizontal orientation, a second side edge 34 which is a bottom sideedge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation, a first end edge36 which connects the first side edge of the second end wall to thesecond side edge of the second end wall, and a second end edge 38 whichconnects the first side edge of the second end wall to the second sideedge of the second end wall.

Case unit 12 further includes a first side wall 40 which extends betweenthe first and second end walls of the case unit. First side wall 40 hasa first side edge 42 which is a top side edge when the case unit is in ahorizontal orientation, a second side edge 44 which is a bottom sideedge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation, a first end edge46 which connects the first side edge of the first side wall to thesecond side edge of the first side wall and which is coincident withfirst end edge 20 of the first end wall, and a second end edge 48 whichconnects the first side edge of the first side wall to the second sideedge of the first side wall and which is coincident with first end edge36 of the first end wall.

A second side wall 50 extends between the first and second end walls ofthe case unit and is similar to the first side wall. Second side wall 50has a first side edge 52 which is a top side edge when the case unit isin a horizontal orientation, a second side edge 54 which is a bottomside edge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation, a first endedge 56 which connects the first side edge of the second side wall tothe second side edge of the second side wall and which is coincidentwith second end edge 22 of the first end wall, and a second end edge 58which connects the first side edge of the second side wall to the secondside edge of the second side wall and which is coincident with secondend edge 38 of the second end wall.

Case unit 12 further includes a first surface 60 which is a top surfacewhen the case unit is in a use orientation and a second surface 62 whichis a bottom surface when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation.The case unit is hollow with a storage volume 64 defined therein. A rackunit 70 is mounted on the case unit. The rack unit supports the caseunit in the manner of a pullman case when the rack unit is deployed asshown in FIG. 1. Rack unit 70 includes a first frame 72 that is locatedadjacent to the bottom end wall of the case unit and a second frame 74that is located adjacent to the second surface of the case unit.

Second frame 74 includes a first frame element 80 that is locatedadjacent to second side edge 44 of the first side wall and which extendsbetween the first and second end walls of the case unit, and a secondframe element 82 that is located adjacent to second side edge 54 of thesecond side wall and which extends between the first and second endwalls of the case unit.

A third frame element 90 is located adjacent to second side edge 18 ofthe first end wall. A first wheel 94 is rotatably mounted on the rackunit adjacent to second side edge 44 of the first side wall, and asecond wheel 96 is rotatably mounted on the rack unit adjacent to secondside edge 54 of the second side wall.

A first telescoping leg 100 is pivotally mounted on the rack unitadjacent to first wheel 94. The first telescoping leg is pivotallymovable between a stored position shown in FIG. 2 adjacent to the secondside edge of the first side wall and a deployed position shown in FIG. 1that is oriented at an oblique angle to the second side edge of thefirst side wall. First telescoping leg 100 includes a distal end 102 anda wheel 104 rotatably mounted on the distal end of the first telescopingleg.

A second telescoping leg 110 is pivotally mounted on the rack unitadjacent to second wheel 96. Second telescoping leg 110 is pivotallymovable between a stored position shown in FIG. 2 adjacent to the secondside edge of the second side wall and a deployed position shown in FIG.1 that is oriented at an oblique angle to the second side edge of thesecond side wall. Second telescoping leg 110 includes a distal end 112and a wheel 114 rotatably mounted on the distal end of the secondtelescoping leg.

A third telescoping leg 120 can also be included to add stability to therack unit and is pivotally mounted on the case unit adjacent to end edge38 and the second surface of the case unit. The third leg moves in themanner just described for the first and second legs but extends oppositeto the second leg. A support frame element 130 is mounted on the firstend wall and supports the case unit when the case unit is in an uprightorientation. A handle 150 is mounted on the second end wall and is usedto carry the case unit.

As can be understood from the teaching of the foregoing disclosure, rackunit is folded into the stored condition shown in FIG. 2 and the caseunit can be moved and carried in the manner associated with an uprightwheeled unit. However, the rack unit can be unfolded into the deployedcondition shown in FIG. 1 so the case unit can be supported in ahorizontal orientation shown in FIG. 1 for easy access to the inside ofthe case for packing and unpacking. The rack unit will be strong enoughto stably support the case unit when the case unit is in the FIG. 1horizontal orientation.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of thisinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except inlight of the attached claims and their equivalents.

1. A suitcase comprising: A) a case unit including (1) a first end wallwhich is a bottom end wall when the case unit is in an uprightorientation, the first end wall having (a) a first side edge which is atop side edge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation, (b) asecond side edge which is a bottom side edge when the case unit is in ahorizontal orientation, (c) a first end edge which connects the firstside edge of the first end wall to the second side edge of the first endwall, (d) a second end edge which connects the first side edge of thefirst end wall to the second side edge of the first end wall, (2) asecond end wall which is a top end wall when the case is in the uprightorientation, the second end wall having (a) a first side edge which is atop side edge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation, (b) asecond side edge which is a bottom side edge when the case unit is in ahorizontal orientation, (c) a first end edge which connects the firstside edge of the second end wall to the second side edge of the secondend wall, (d) a second end edge which connects the first side edge ofthe second end wall to the second side edge of the second end wall, (3)a first side wall which extends between the first and second end wallsof the case unit, the first side wall having (a) a first side edge whichis a top side edge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation,(b) a second side edge which is a bottom side edge when the case unit isin a horizontal orientation, (c) a first end edge which connects thefirst side edge of the first side wall to the second side edge of thefirst side wall and which is coincident with the first end edge of thefirst end wall, (d) a second end edge which connects the first side edgeof the first side wall to the second side edge of the first side walland which is coincident with the second end edge of the second end wall,(4) a second side wall which extends between the first and second endwalls of the case unit, the second side wall having (a) a first sideedge which is a top side edge when the case unit is in a horizontalorientation, (b) a second side edge which is a bottom side edge when thecase unit is in a horizontal orientation, (c) a first end edge whichconnects the first side edge of the second side wall to the second sideedge of the second side wall and which is coincident with the second endedge of the first end wall, (d) a second end edge which connects thefirst side edge of the second side wall to the second side edge of thesecond side wall and which is coincident with the second end edge of thesecond end wall, (5) a first surface which is a top surface when thecase unit is in a use orientation, (6) a second surface which is abottom surface when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation, (7)the case unit being hollow with a storage volume defined therein; and B)a rack unit mounted on the case unit and including (1) a first framethat is located adjacent to the bottom end wall of the case unit, (2) asecond frame that is located adjacent to the second surface of the caseunit and which includes (a) a first frame element that is locatedadjacent to the second side edge of the first side wall and whichextends between the first and second end walls of the case unit, (b) asecond frame element that is located adjacent to the second side edge ofthe second side wall and which extends between the first and second endwalls of the case unit, (c) a third frame element that is locatedadjacent to the second side edge of the first end wall, (d) a firstwheel rotatably mounted on the rack unit adjacent to the second sideedge of the first side wall, (e) a second wheel rotatably mounted on therack unit adjacent to the second side edge of the second side wall, (f)a first telescoping leg pivotally mounted on the rack unit adjacent tothe first wheel, the first telescoping leg being pivotally movablebetween a stored position adjacent to the second side edge of the firstside wall and a deployed position that is oriented at an oblique angleto the second side edge of the first side wall, the first telescopingleg including a distal end and a wheel rotatably mounted on the distalend of the first telescoping leg, and (g) a second telescoping legpivotally mounted on the rack unit adjacent to the second wheel, thesecond telescoping leg being pivotally movable between a stored positionadjacent to the second side edge of the second side wall and a deployedposition that is oriented at an oblique angle to the second side edge ofthe second side wall, the second telescoping leg including a distal endand a wheel rotatably mounted on the distal end of the secondtelescoping leg.
 2. The suitcase defined in claim 1 further including asupport frame element mounted on the first end wall.
 3. The suitcasedefined in claim 2 further including a handle on the first end wall. 4.A suitcase comprising: A) a case unit including (1) a first end wallwhich is a bottom end wall when the case unit is in an uprightorientation, (2) a second end wall which is a top end wall when the caseis in an upright orientation, (3) a first side wall which extendsbetween the first and second end walls of the case unit, the first sidewall having (a) a first side edge which is a top side edge when the caseunit is in a horizontal orientation, and (b) a second side edge which isa bottom side edge when the case unit is in a horizontal orientation,(4) a second side wall which extends between the first and second endwalls of the case unit, the second side wall having (a) a first sideedge which is a top side edge when the case unit is in a horizontalorientation, and (b) a second side edge which is a bottom side edge whenthe case unit is in a horizontal orientation; and B) a rack unit mountedon the case unit and including (1) a first frame that is locatedadjacent to the bottom end wall of the case unit, (2) a second framewhich includes (a) a first frame element that is located adjacent to thesecond side edge of the first side wall and which extends between thefirst and second end walls of the case unit, (b) a second frame elementthat is located adjacent to the second side edge of the second side walland which extends between the first and second end walls of the caseunit, (c) a first wheel rotatably mounted on the rack unit adjacent tothe second side edge of the first side wall, (d) a second wheelrotatably mounted on the rack unit adjacent to the second side edge ofthe second side wall, (e) a first telescoping leg pivotally mounted onthe rack unit adjacent to the first wheel, the first telescoping legbeing pivotally movable between a stored position adjacent to the secondside edge of the first side wall and a deployed position that isoriented at an oblique angle to the second side edge of the first sidewall, the first telescoping leg including a distal end and a wheelrotatably mounted on the distal end of the first telescoping leg, and(f) a second telescoping leg pivotally mounted on the rack unit adjacentto the second wheel, the second telescoping leg being pivotally movablebetween a stored position adjacent to the second side edge of the secondside wall and a deployed position that is oriented at an oblique angleto the second side edge of the second side wall, the second telescopingleg including a distal end and a wheel rotatably mounted on the distalend of the second telescoping leg.